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TOMPKINS
COUNTY
Navigating A Sua Ov Resources
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
Title:
From
Author:
Shear, Hazel M
Call
LH-REF 974.784 Shear
number:
Publisher:
a
Local Historian's Notebook
Ithaca, NY
of
Owner:
:
DeWitt Historical
Society
of
Tompkins County, 1970.,
Collection:
County Public Library
Ithaca Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL)
Local History (LH)
Material type:
Book
Number
25
Ithaca
Assigned Branch:
Note:
of pages:
-
Tompkins
-
pages
The
History
Center in Tompkins
County,
who owns
copyright, gave TCPL permission to digitize this
October 2009.
Digitization
of
2009
this
material was made possible with a
grant
from the Park Foundation
the
book,
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LH-REF
974.784
Shear,
Hazel
M
From
local
historian's
a
Shear
notebook
For Reference
this
Not to be taken from
Tompkins
Public
room
County
Library
Ithaca, NY
From
a
Local Historian's
Notebook
Collected by
Hazel M. Shear
h
Formerly Allegany County Historian
1969
J)eWITT
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF TOMPKINS
Ithaca
COUNTY, Inc.
New York
TOMPKINS COUNTY PUHlC OiBAlrf
312 NORTH CAYUGA STREET
ITHACA, NEW.
YORK 14850
14850
1
9
9,
BEARS IN ALLEGANY
When
one
"take"
learns the
ing contemporary
bears in
of
seasons, he may
Allegany County dur
start pondering.
high peak, he will
the Senecas sparsely
county's population at
been the kill
and
hunted
The
day's
was
when
over
free to
have
ask what must
occupied
the
region
it?
number of aborigines was small
population
With the
count,
a
fact
comparison with
which might
Nevertheless,
roam.
in
to
indicate that bruin
whatever ursine population
may have occurred, the bear's numbers were sub
jected to natural controls and not alone to the minor reduction
explosions
that may have been effected by the Indian hunters.
Without the assistance of hunting dogs and equipped
with
bow
were
and
accurate
to
compelled
the take
was
arrow, Indian
short-range
their
stalk
large in
game.
Thus, it
nimrods
would not seem
proportion
to the
stronghold
in Central
numbers of
that
bears then
available.
After the Iroquois
Western New
and
by Sullivan's expedition of 1779 and the sub
sequent end of the Revolution, the area was opened to settlers
who came to develop farms. The Iroquois were gone, but the
bears now faced a more deadly hunter.
York
was
broken
Not only did these newcomers possess superior weapons,
devilish traps and specially trained bear dogs, but their hunting
methods were
Relentless
Another
were
more effective
his pelt,
money
of
the Redmen.
by the dogs soon brought bruin to bay far
by his wiles he had outfoxed Indian stalkers.
by
than
to bruin's way of life came with forest
the settlers, which deprived him of hideaways. Nor
restriction
these the only
neighbors
than those
pursuit
more often
clearing
far
persistently
grease and
was a scarce
lost to the animal, for the new
him as an important food supply;
advantages
sought
bones
produced
income
at a
commodity in the economy
of
time
the
when
pioneer.
The farmer
hibernation had
healthy bear
a
a gallon.
interest
bear
was
on
simplest amenities
prior
season
to
a
his rump that pro
bear grease worth from $5 to
from $75 to $100 to
his mortgage,
of life.
meet
taxes,
leave something
and
found its way through mercantile chan
to New York City where is was manufactured into articles
Most
nels
a
storage over
gallons of
Here, then,
payments and
for the
fat
possessed a
bag
income in hand. At this
year's
duced from 12 to 15
$6
to
who was so successful as
the
of
grease
Not the least
of commerce.
of
these
products was
numerous medical preparations which
Another
derived from bear
product
today
the base for
use petroleum.
hair dressing.
grease was
After refining and perfuming it came back to the land of its
origin but with less offensive consequences to users than the
Redmen
experienced when
ago, "you
The
that
aroma was
Not
was
can smell an
the bear
all
little
or no
he
Indian
grease went
butter, it
to
fat. It
off, if the
market.
afforded a
bread. Its
to his taste buds.
Likewise, it
cakes, for
a mile
raw
of unrefined and overripe
pioneer's coarse
ing fried
the
used
cooked
At
a
was said
wind
bear
time
satisfactory
is
long
right."
grease.
when
spread
there
for the
flavor especially appealed
preferred by his wife in mak
sweetish
was
in bear
grease
they
never grew ran
In the early days of the Erie canal, boats departing for
inland ports carried sugar barrels filled with fried cakes as
cid.
part of the sustenance of the crews.
After the
changed
meat was
into
ering, there
eaten, the
a robe or appropriated
still
buttons,
tic
combs,
application
knitting
that
the processing
duce fertilizers.
ing
Against this
for
bones,
for
and
a window or
the
bed
pelt
cov
they, too, had
a
manufacture of such articles
items of domes
less developed culture. Dur
needles and similar
characterized a
of
converted,
the bones. And
remained
market value as raw material
as
grease
waste particles were
considerable value
burned to
pro
to the bear's credit in the
farmer's ledger, there were some debit entries not to be over
looked. The animals had a weakness for honey and pork that
led them to
they
raided cabins
stroying
To
destroy
more
skeps of
for
bees
and make off with pigs.
whatever might
food than they
be
found,
And
usually de
consumed.
guard against raids upon
piglets,
a
farmer depended less
the firepower
on
terrorized the
his flintlock than
of
animals.
To
this
provide
upon
firelight
which
protection against
the
marauders, the farmer made faggots of birch and
stored them over the fireplace in his cabin. As moisture dried
nighttime
out, the
oil concentrated
to
the
make
shavings
quickly ignitable
highly inflammable.
and
When the farmer's
disturbed
were
by
terrified
his porkers, he leaped from his bed, seized a faggot
ignited it in the fireplace as he rushed into the night. His
squealing
and
slumbers
of
wife, close behind, lighted a faggot and grabbed the flintlock
for use in case the bear chose to defend his meal rather than
seek
safetly in
Not
took
escape
always was
bear that
after a
grown
and
pig,
this
doing
the prey impeded the
suer caught
farmer
an enraged
carrying to his dinner table a halfit brazenly in broad daylight. Weight of
was
marauder's speed so
bruin
as
up
Once
escape possible.
struggled
to
that his
climb
enraged pur
over a
log fence
abandoning his meal. A vigorous blow from the farm
hamstrung the bear, and a few more blows put an igno-
without
er's ax
minous end
Long
to his thieving.
gone are
primitivenss, but
never
dreamed
to their
of
the
Redmen,
the take
each year
by
those
the
as are
who came
of
to
pioneers and
bears totals
exploit
the
their
numbers
wilderness
ends.
McBRIDE AND THE BEST
In his
Allegany and Its People John Stearns Minard recorded
episode involving a bear, from which this excerpt is taken.
an
Robert McBride
part of
trap for
once set a
about
his
the
earliest settlers
in the
eastern
of
Place."
Van Campen in his
by
the
Allen, taking up land on Lot 39 in the
His purchase is mentioned
the "Tracy
the Town
neighborhood of
was one of
a
notes.
bear
neighborhood.
bearship having been
It
was
which
There
this Robert McBride
he
suspected was
who
prowling
left of
was abundant evidence
caught and of
the
struggle which
fol
lowed in pulling the trap away from its fastening. For a wonder
it so happened that no gun was at hand, so providing himself
with a heavy hoe handle, and, taking a sack of cakes, he started
in
quest of
bruin, followed by
some of
his
neighbor
Wilson's
children, who were greatly excited and wanted to see the sport.
They found no trouble in tracking the bear, and caught up
with
fight
him
the trap. McBride
lugging
ensued.
It
was
"short,
"for,"
quickly succumbed,
dozen right over the
sharp
the bear
and
and
decisive,"
McBride, "I
said
head, I did! I
met and
and
give
the
the bear
him
about a
did!"
LOIS RICHMOND AND THE BEAR
Lois Gott Richmond, wife of Ebenezer, was a pioneer house
wife living on Cruyder (Krider) Creek in the Town of Inde
pendence,
cleaned
tracks
to
a
She
her
on
out of
her
the
freshly
seized a
inside. On her
cleaned
underneath
broom
and
floor
it
and
day
she
return she
the tracks led
was a medium-sized
beat the bear
had just
with
it
and
found
straight
bear. She
drove him
her home.
It has been
brave,
housekeeper. One
cabin and gone
bed. There
angrily
Lois
was a noted
that
said
that
most of
them
whose anger at
animal under
although pioneer women as a rule were
would
the dirt
the bed.
have fled in terror. Not
on
her floor
exceeded
so with
her fear
of
DAY OF RECKONING
lived
Early-day Allegany County farmers
the elements,
with
weather wisdom upon which
day-to-day
lege
their portents
observed
There
activities.
they
relied
close
quarters
and accumulated
for
guidance
were no extension
in their
service, no
col
agriculture, so they condensed their hard-earned lessons
into aphorisms that were easily remembered, genuinely trusted
and readily passed on to posterity.
of
No doubt the philosophy of Benjamin Franklin, as distilled
in the brevities of Poor Richard's Almanac, set the pattern.
The almanac, published annually and circulated widely for
many years, found a place beside the family Bible in even fron
tier
cabins.
When it
was no
sprung up in imitation
Today
now
museums
many
cations which were sewn
Often
a
dozen
1800 's farm
have
copies of annual
which
One
of
is
the
these early
publi
kept for reading matter.
issues are found. By the midand
papers gained sufficient stature
One
Cultivator, issued in Albany;
turist
collections of
together
published almanacs.
nually
longer published, others that had
superseded the original.
of
these
another
to displace the
periodicals was
an
The
is the American Agricul
still published.
sayings
found in the
ample of rural wisdom condensed
almanacs suffices as an ex
into
a
few
meaningful words.
Day, half your pork and half
The date of February 2, now given facetious atten
your
tion as Groundhog Day, when the woodchuck emerges from
his burrow. If the day is bright, he casts a shadow and returns
It is the
well-known
"Candlemas
hay."
to his lair to
This
await
the coming
was not a nature note
of a
late
but
a reflection of
spring.
the pioneer's
worry over having sufficient foodstuffs for both family and
livestock to carry through until spring's new growth became
available.
The
depending on
from October to May,
period of
tence
extended
called
for belt-tightening.
Here the
pioneer was
speaking
stored
and
food for
subsis
closing days often
metaphorically:
"pork"
rep-
resented provender
for his family,
and
"hay"
that for his live
Actually, pork was the chief meat diet of America until
recently as 1880, when western beef displaced both pork and
stock.
as
home-grown beef in the
Pork
food for the early settlers since hogs
breeders which foraged for most of their food.
a natural
was
were prolific
Pork
its
and
eastern states.
products were
easily
by
preserved
smoking,
put
ting down in brine, or in sausages. Skills essential for rearing
hogs, preserving and cooking pork and its products were within
those
of even
For
cotton
the isolated farm family.
perfect
bags
keeping,
smoked pork was often sewn
buried in
and
bin
a
and moisture content were
of
where
oats,
nearly
perfect
for preserving the
along into summer. Lacking an oat
sliced ham, then placed the slices in a
often
poured pork grease over each
top layer
the
placed over
layer. A
heavy plate
the
when
white
the temperature
meat until well
ers
in
bin,
moth
crock
and
or cover was
filled. As
container was
needed, a few slices were removed and fried. Fresh sausage
was kept in this manner but never for so long as the ham.
the
Usually,
crock was set on
the
cellar
bottom
of
hard-packed
natural material.
How
great was
indicated
30
by
the
years after
of
agricultural
the
the yearly
and
production of pork
state census of
the
began. At time
611,
the
in the
pioneer era
Alma, Allegany County,
development
enumeration
the
of
the
population of
pork production was
is
taken
settlement
Alma
reported
at
was
23,350
nearly 40 pounds per capita. Not all of this was con
sumed at home, for there was a proportionately heavy demand
for pork in the expanding cities. Pork was easily transported
pounds,
when
or
barrelled in brine.
With
an
indicated two tons
of
hay for
each of
the 358 head
live stock, the farmers of Alma must have had cause to
worry by the time Candlemas Day again occupied its custom
of
ary date
plenty
on
of
another
the
calendar.
browse
With
oats and corn supplements and
on unimproved
lands, they "made
year, but there was shortage
each year.
of rations on
out"
for
many farms
LONELINESS CAUSED TEARS
It
and
was
during
their babe
erness
to
the early 1800's
moved
into
when
John
and
Grace Holmes
Jefferson
County, New York, wild
homestead from the foreboding forest
carve out a
a
both
whose mysteries were
imaginary. This young
others who came into the
real
and
family is a prototype of thousands of
Military Tract, central in the state, for conditions were strik
ingly alike and aims of one duplicated those of another. It was
a
time
of
seeking
a
better life in
After reaching their
a new environment.
taking time to build
hunter's rude hut, there to live
location, instead
cabin, they moved into a
while the young husband hastened to
a
log
of
clear
sufficient
space
among the trees for a garden. Urgency dictated his act, for
food must be produced to carry them through the first winter
a
gloomy
fraught
season
with
danger
of starvation
by
all
newcomers.
The
virgin
even with
fully
of a
fortunately,
soil,
rudimentary
realized when
he
preparation.
carried
horse borrowed from
So that he
was
exceedingly productive,
This young Holmes thank
his first
grist
to
mill on
the back
living a mile away.
from home for days, he waited
another settler
be away
at the mill all night, received his grist the next morning and set
out for home. Blazed trees guided horse and man through the
untracked
To the
would not
forest to
an ultimate return
southward
was an unbroken
from the
Holmes'
forest, but to the
to his family.
makeshift shelter
west were
three
there
other pio
families, none less than a mile distant from the hunter's
cabin. This, then, was the desolate prospect that depressed the
neer
young
mother.
One day in the late autumn, when her husband was away at
the mill, five stalwart Indians pushed their way into the cabin,
sat
down
on
the
earthen
floor,
"shonny cake,
for by that time very
and pleaded
shon-
The intruders were strangers,
ny
few Indians were ever seen in their old haunts. These uninvited
cake."
johnnycake, for
callers wanted
in
ment
which
they
promised
repay
venison.
young Mrs. Holmes concealed her tremors and
about preparing the food. Bread made in her simple way
Frightened,
set
has long been forgotten
except on the pages of
history. She
boiling water on a pan of cornmeal and stirred the mass
it was quite thick, using a wooden spoon to do so. Salt
poured
until
to
was added as she stirred with care
cornbread was
Cooking
avoid
lumping. Then her
ready for baking.
utensils were
scarce, of course, so it was not always
in a tin.
housewife to bake her "shonny
She was then compelled to spread her mix rather thin upon a
board, or even a large chip, and set it in a slanting position in
cake"
possible
for
front
the fireplace. When
of
able, the
or
a
pioneer cook
banked them
an
iron
buried the
around
the
spider or
container
kettle
was avail
deep in
the coals
utensil.
Soon Mrs. Holmes shonny cake was baked, the early visitors
sated and on their way. At departure they again promised veni
in payment, but she took this lightly in her relief to
them go. The Indians proved true to their word, however,
son
a
few days later brought her
a
third of a hind
see
and
quarter of
venison.
As alarming as this episode was at the time, it provided a
break in her depressing routine. In later years she often related
that when
and cried
was
for
first
bitterly,
the lot
at
she
the hunter's cabin, she sat down
did when overcome by despair. This
entered
as she
young women who came into the wilderness
times the future seemed so uncertain that even hope was
abandoned
of most
to tears.
WILD PIGEONS DARKENED SUN
morning in March 1876 persons living at Barnum's
Station in the Town of Forestburg, Sullivan County, New York,
Early
one
were surprised
ly
that
see
somber
thick
flight
of an apparent
passing overhead. For more
hour the flight continued in an incessant
all view of
too high to
were
during
although
the
shoot at with
passage quite a
fortunate hunters. Old
more
with a
clouds.
The birds
cess,
air
the sky and giving surroundings
appearance caused by the gathering and passing
obstructing
thunder
the
of wild pigeons
a quarter of an
stream
of
flock
endless
than
to
any degree of suc
few were killed by
that the
woodsmen said
seeking nesting places, but from the
flight it was not supposed that they would
were
pigeons
of
altitude
their
the
rest short of
North Woods in the John Brown tract in Beaverkill Valley.
While this flight
nett, two
build
not
hidden
from Barnum's
selecting a site to
for the ensuing bark season. The sun was shining
a cloud obscured the sky, when suddenly the sun
miles
a cabin
brightly,
was
barkpeelers,
five
about
as
if
by
black
Tree
dark cloud, and a noise like that produced
the roll of distant thunder broke upon their
the
woods
commenced
filled rapidly, and
moving mass of birds as far
after
with a great
Station,
a
by a gale of wind or
ears. Simultaneously,
pigeons.
over, Clinton Waters and Isaac Ben
were in the depth of the beech woods,
came
tree
was
filling up
still
as
the
the
with
air was
eye could
reach.
After the first
birds had
excitement
subsided and
it
was
attending the appearance of the
apparent that the great body had
found nesting places, Waters and Bennett, true to the instinct
of the human race, began to wage war against the visitors.
They
possessed
swooped about
guns, but
each
among the pigeons,
taking
a
right and
long
pole, they
left. With every
the fragile birds fell to the ground, killed
maimed. The two men slew hundreds this way.
blow dozens
right or
no
of
out
Pigeons in
a
free that
were attacked would
fly
at
first
as
sault, only to seek the nearest resting place. Ruthless destruc
tion of the birds was kept up by these two woodsmen until they
became
slain
the
glutted with
kill,
they
when
picked
up
fifty of
dead,
the
dying"
birds but left the
ground strewn with
others,
and wounded.
For the
seeing how far the woods were occupied
by the pigeons, the men walked five miles through the forest.
As far as they could see on either side the birds occupied the
purpose of
trees. When
they
could not
discover the termination
subsequently learned that it
in a continuous line.
When these two
roost
to Barnum's
bermen
the
on
clubs,
and
brought the
men
Station,
others,
and a
roost at night.
birds,
dozen
the
themselves
lantern
or a
dozen
miles
great pigeon
among lum
to kill birds
with guns and
torch
made of pine
roost a continuous slaughter
began
and
alarmed
by the disturbed
terrific. It is
most of
estimated
the latter
turned laden
the
news of
a
by the gunfire and the lights, flew blindly
trees, some dashing against the lanterns and others
noise made
the
than
men started out
armed
among the
singeing themselves in the
was
off
excitement was great
They
knots. On reaching the
lasted two hours.
of
stretched more
and each man carried a
The
to the summit,
the flock, but it was
they stopped their walk, to turn
open
flames
pigeons
in
that 10,000
being left
on
of
the torches. The
flying from
were
the
with carcasses which were
killed
their
or
roosts
wounded,
The party re
distributed throughout
ground.
neighborhood.
At the time
protection of
no one
took interest
the law for
them,
enough
and
the
in the
next
pigeons
day
the
to
ask
slaughter
The migrating birds had chosen the beech
their nesting place, but the determined cruelty and
was recommenced.
woods as
barbarity
of
the inhabitants
search of safer
fields. They
in their taking flight in
from the woods at about nine
resulted
rose
in the morning after the slaughter, and in a short time
had disappeared. Old and experienced hunters said that it
o'clock
all
was
the largest flight
The flock
four
or
known in the region.
twelve miles long and
of wild pigeons ever
was estimated
by them
as
fully
five deep.
Two days afterward,
raftsmen
10
from the headwaters
of
the
Beaverkill
the heech
and
woods of
the
upstream wilderness of
Sullivan
County, brought news that those sections had been
taken possession of by wild pigeons in enormous numbers. The
woods were literally swarming with pigeons that were prepar
ing for the nesting season, they said.
At this site, law-and-order sportsmen, acting as individuals
and for fish and game societies, at once set about taking meas
to
ures
game
in
constables were stationed
Cabins had been
wilderness.
and
the birds from lawless destruction.
protect
they had
the
with all
orders
to deal
for their accommodation,
summarily as the law permitted
erected
as
trappers
gunners and
Deputy
force in the
considerable
who
disturbed the birds.
Of course, unparalleled sport was anticipated in due time;
but unfortunately for the hunters severe weather intervened,
snow
days
to the depth
falling
the
after
of a
pigeons rested.
foot along the Beaverkill a few
After the storm had ceased, the
among the birds through
out the region. Then, about noon of the fifth day of their stay,
they began taking flight, and in a few hours there was not a
constables noticed a considerable stir
pigeon
to be found in the
took
They
country.
Later
counties of
hanna
and
direction
a
northwestward
reports accounted
Sullivan
for their
Bradford in Pennsylvania.
subsequently took up
Pike
Monroe
Expanse
of
counties
beech
adjacent area of
state
and
in the beech
comprised
wilderness, invaded only
and sportsmen.
Susque
woods of
state.
the time
at
the
eastward, the
in Southeastern New York
woods
of acres of almost primeval
progress over
Turning
quarters
in the latter
Pennsylvania
men, barkpeelers
from the Beaverkill
Delaware in this
and
migrants
and
territory.
entire
and
the
thousands
by lumber
In the fastness bear
roamed
deer found security from hunter and hound.
"wild,"
the passenger pigeon was a
Commonly called
at will and
American
species
that inhabited Eastern North America from
the Southern States
northward
to the Great Plains. One
that
of
May 1687,
native
when
struction wrought upon
of
the
the
the
to Hudson
Bay
and westward
earliest references
bishop
of
Montreal
colonists'
crops
by
to them is
noted
the de
this bird.
In size, the passenger pigeon compared with that of the com
mon turtle dove, but was characterized by a long, wedgeshaped
tail. Coloration
made
the bird distinctive. The
11
male
dark-slate
was of a
traces
of
Flight
eled
and
ern
purplish-bay
beneath. The female
green and gold
violet,
these brilliant
of
this
underneath with
above and
wore
only
slight
markings.
migrant was rapid and sustained.
They
trav
flocks from their wintering areas in Georgia
South Carolina to nesting grounds as far north as North
in
massive
Canada. In the South their
principal
food
was rice and sim
grains; through New York state, beechnuts were a
favorite food; beyond the beech-wood zone it consisted of ber
ilar
wild
ries and similar summer vegetation.
disappearance
extinction of
of
beech
of
the
the beech-nut
nuts contributed
passenger pigeon as
mast
tory flights. Mass
feeding
starvation
slaughter as a cause of
of
It has been held that the
the
in
they
large degree to
were
during
areas
a
then deprived
their
may thus be
long
added
migra
to
mass
disappearance
sudden and complete
the bird.
Hunting
of meat
of
the
wild pigeon was
the breast
provided.
casses were shipped
became
A
humane
to
was
birds flew
small portion
use a
against
large
net spread
these nets,
than clubbing
between trees. When the
capturing
pigeons
they became easy
dispatched them
victims of per
quickly.
29 years, the last known surviving passenger
died August 29, 1914, in the Cincinnati Zoological Gar
At the
dens.
the
Packed in salt, most of the car
in flour barrels. There the morsel
method of
sistent pursuers who
pigeon
cities
obtain
delicacy.
a
more
them
to
to
age of
Notwithstanding
a remnant of
this
none was ever
were on a
years of persistent organized search
futile
American wildlife,
the century boys and hunters
once-numerous species of
found. At turn
alert
to
of
sight even a single specimen.
12
for
HUNTING WILD HONEY
Hunting wild honeybees for their honey was a sporting event
enjoyed by men and boys of the pioneers. Its risks were a chal
lenge to both their daring and their ingenuity, not to say that
hunts broke the monotony
such
Then, too,
of
unending days
of
hard
work.
a successful venture was a profitable one since
for high-priced
produced a substitute
commodity that brought
and beeswax.
a
Although
similar
in
it
for home use, and
income through sales of honey
cash
sugar
appearance and
habits to the domestic
Apid mellfiera, the wild bee was native to the forests and in
digenous to the country. Its dislike for man was evidenced by a
retreat
upon
the
its domain.
as
here
skeps of
the forests
as
interloping
Ultimately, hives
tracts
solitudes of
(Hives
the
deep into
were
by
unoccupied
used means a place
settlers encroached
to be found far
the habitations
inhabited
within
of men.
by bees
and not
the domestic apiary.)
For hill locations
of
hives,
the bees
chose an elevated site
far
up an unfrequented and shaded ravine near a body of water. In
flat country, they located near the margin of a lake or stream
but in the
tree
greatest seclusion possible.
of great size was appropriated
Generally,
for the purpose,
fice affording entrance to the hive with
tion from observation and discovery.
Here
a
colony
remained
a
for years,
hollow in
a
a small ori
a maximum of protec
inhabiting
the
same abode
conditions, untiringly accumulating honey and
yearly sending forth new colonies. With difficulty and resort to
much skill the bee hunter located these retreats and established
under normal
access
to the
store.
sects and some
redators of
There
the
Not only the persevering
animals, especially the
wild
were men
but in
were natural
dep
bees.
in
most communities who
bee hunters, but country
holiday
bear,
pioneer
became
youths went on such
sport than as a source of
13
sweetening
expert as
hunts
or cash
more as
income.
Experienced hunters
honeycomb
the center,
with
a
supply
of
inches long by four or five
a slide on the top of the box and another in
of which moved in grooves. In the upper lid
box
and a
There
wide.
themselves
equipped
was
each
was a glass window.
some
Comb
honey
partment, then the hunter
he had determined bees
six
in the lower
was placed
carried
this box to
com
an area which
visited.
In capturing a bee that would
fessional hunters used this box.
serve
to locate the tree,
Observing
pro
that
a wild plant
blooms late in October, an aster commonly known as the frost
bloom, and finding bees feeding upon it, the hunter deftly
placed the box beneath the tree and transferred his prey into
it through the
observed
open
lid. When the lid
through the
glass which was
then darkened
ing the slide over it. The imprisoned bee
honey and began eating it.
After both
slides were
closed, the bee
was
was
by draw
now settled upon
opened, the bee
was
left to its
the
own
devices. Having fed upon the honey, the bee left the box, soared
and flew in circles about the box as if to fix its location for a
return
to it. Each
the bee took
in
a
flight
until at
last
line for its hive.
point
and computed
absence of
turn, he
the distance to the hive
the bee from the
allowed
three
After the bee had
the
higher
in the venture, skill and vigilance of the hunter
the severest test. He carefully watched the direction of the
At this
met
off
gyration grew wider and
to the
made several
the hunter
hive,
miles
feeding box. For
again
the
and re
journeys from feeder box to
it
that in
as
the flight
of
minute.
secured
direction he had determined
by length
and
proceeded
which
the hive
in the
was
to
be found. At this point, somewhat of a complication entered,
for the captured bee had communicated its find of honey in
the box to
they
came
bees
other
from
other
which now came
hives
this confusion, the hunter
confined his attention to it.
Upon
he
marked
his
routes
guide
bee
deciding that he had the distance definitely
the hunter
gone
feed, but
took different
and
avoid
to
far
moved
enough
for
again released
repeated
toward the
a
site.
the bee from the box.
14
often
back. To
and
then
established,
When he believed he had
deviation in the line to
his reconnaissance, then
too
manifest
Immediately
made a straight
itself,
the bee
line for the
hive. As it
tree in
be expected, the hunter often had passed the
the hive was established, a situation that was in
might
which
dicated
the bee's
by
In instances
doubling back
on
the hunter's track.
the hive had been effectively hidden, it
was necessary for the hunter to establish several lines in this
Then
manner.
mine
where
we would correct
the location
by
the
his line
of approach and
the
point where
several
deter
lines inter
cepted.
As
a welcome
farmers
their
and
Sunday during
ness of
the
calm and
of
tracing
Within
a
day,
usually
weather."
though
these factors
combination of
hunters to
they
used a
achieve
less
an cleared spot on an elevated
hunters built
Upon these
comb
which were
fed
box
a
harvest,
Late
a
made
it
satisfactory
sophisticated method
line to the hive.
professional
for their
fall
the bees urgently industrious; the
however, favored tracing the flights from
even amateur
of success
of
made
brightness,
for
possible
routine
"October's bright blue
a spell of
season
daily
turned bee hunters for
sons
box to hives. A
feeding
degree
break in the
hive,
honey
the
was
fresh
upon
a small
fire
burned,
comb
situation, these less
and
the
heated flat
scent
stones.
attracting bees
honey. As these bees departed
comb was removed
from the
stone and
the
On returning to the feeding site, the bee was
trapped in the box and used as a guide for a path to the hive.
substituted.
Once the hive was definitely located, its harboring tree was
felled and the whole colony exterminated, commonly by suffo
cation
in
smoke
was considered
slaughts of
hunters
the
from burning straw. Destruction
necessary to protect the hunters
enraged
insects in defense
offered another
defense for their
of
of
the bees
against on
their hoard. These
ruthless
destruction,
citing the necessity for eliminating members of the hive lest
absent bees later lead hunters along a false line as wanderers
returned
to the disrupted hive. Despite this precaution, false
pursuit often
developed.
An 1850 hunter left
in New York state,
that,
by
pursued
which
skilled
cited a month's work
ton
of
$15
a
honey
and
hundred
an account of one such professional
400
by
he described
hunters,
three
an
exciting
profitable
as
beeswax. The
the beeswax for 20
15
honey
sport
well.
men who gathered more
pounds of
pounds and
was
as
hunt
He
than
sold
a
for
cents a pound.
These hunters located fifty-seven hives
five to 150
of which yielded
during
the season,
each
pounds of money.
Experienced bee hunters discovered early in their careers
that wild bees permitted some persons to approach the hive
with impunity, but others were met with instinctive hostility.
Eggs Preserved in Salt, Sawdust
There
was a
neglected,
and
time in the early farm home when poultry was
eggs were so expensive in winter they were re
for food for the ill
for cooking and baking. During
spring and summer poultry foraged, but to avoid expensive
feeding, during the fall and early winter most of the flocks
served
or
the
family table or at church suppers.
The few kept for spring hatching subsisted mostly on
were consumed at
scraps.
Eggs
were preserved
in
salt and
sawdust, but
table
salt was
cheap in a lumbering town. Eggs
failed to retain their flavor. At all
expensive and sawdust was
kept in sawdust,
seasons
women
however,
poultry, like the garden,
and children of the home.
was
the responsibility
the
of
Some Land Companies Erected Mills
Occupants
of
those
vantage over
military land
nies
bought from
tice
bounty lands in the DeWitt
of some
All but
was
grantees.
land
one of
County
pany being
settlers who purchased
free
or cost
However, by
companies
the land
this
from land
an ad
compa
very little to those
comparison with
the
who
prac
advantage was minimized.
companies
that
operated
in
Allegany
funds for establishing mills, the Holland com
the exception. Such assistance was not available
advanced
to the
survey had
pioneer
in the military tract.
16
MAPLE SUGAR MAKING
In
to
in 1840 for information from practi
makers, W. S. Wentworth of Allegany County
wrote the American Agriculturist as follows:
"I make from 1,400 to 2,000 pounds of maple sugar per year,
according to the flow of sap. First, for spouts :
"I think the sumach best, the pith of which can easily be
answer
a request
cal maple-sugar
burned
then
The
spouts are
^-inch hole. I bore the trees
with a %-
out with a piece of wire of proper size.
to fit
sharpened
a
inch bit (a little smaller will answer as well), and put two
spouts in a tree, unless the tree is quite small. When the holes
become dry, I ream them out with a pod bit a little larger than
the first. The sap will often flow freely as at first.
"The sap is gathered, and boiled in
the best of which I think are made
lengthwise,
and
if
and one across
made of good
top,
or a
eted
in
iron
should not
strip
with a
be
the pan,
put under
An
out much sooner.
taken
two
evaporators,
sheets
riveted
This is turned up 6 inches,
^-inch wire put in around the
band iron 1-inch wide
the wire, it will need no
good material and well
a
of
end.
of
place of
to burn
iron,
the
sheet-iron
and
^4
-inch
thick
Bars
of
would cause
it
other support.
as
they
in this way,
last 15 years.
evaporator made
care
of,
will
riv
of
"The syrup should be boiled until it will break in scales from
sheet-iron dipper. Then strain through flannel into a tub
largest
should
at
the
bottom,
be
put
in
with
it. A
iron,
about
foot high
good
stand a
few hours to
settle.
Milk
the syrup is cool, and thoroughly mixed
vessel to finish off sugar in is made of Sheet
when
2*4 feet long,
a
let
and
14 inches
little larger
at
the
wide on
top
the
with
bottom,
wire
put
and
1
in to
for convenience.
"A very nice way to prepare the sugar for market is to run
it in moulds made in boards of cherry (which I think best), or
good pine will do. They are made with a tapering counted-bit,
which makes them 1% inches on the bottom, and nearly one
strengthen
it,
and
handles
on
the
17
ends
inch deep. It
should
"Pour hot
dry. The
take
water over
sugar should
it is just
cool
the
to
such cakes
quite
dry,
and
nearly cool, then turn them
moulds until
weigh a pound.
then
Let it
smoothly.
run
to
then let them
boards,
be done
enough
20
about
get
nearly
stirred until
in the
stand
over and
on
rap
the
boards. They will come out nicely, and may be packed in boxes
for market. Saleratus and candle boxes for packing in may be
bought at stores and groceries cheaper than new boxes can be
made."
A
sirup and sugar
the Indians in Lower Canada. An Eng
more primitive method of
by
was that practiced
making
maple
lish fur trader, Alexander Henry who traveled through the
region during 1763 and lived much among them, left this
recorded observations.
About the
tion into the
middle of
maple woods above
was stripped
sap that
ran
Women
March, he
from trees
from
boiled it down to
into troughs to
in the bark
the sap and,
sugar or
sugaring
expedi
Sault Marie. White birch bark
and made
cuts made
collected
went on a
sirup
by
of
the trees.
placing hot
while
the
the
catch
stones
men cut
in
it,
wood, kept
the fires going, or fished and hunted to replenish the larder.
Remarked Henry, "When, in the morning, there is a clear
sun, and the night has left ice of the thickness of a dollar,
the
greatest
quantity is
When the Indians
pounds of sugar plus
produced."
returned
36
to the fort
gallons of sirup.
they
Henry
carried
1,600
observed
their stay in the camp, they ate mostly sugar.
On one of his trips through this section of New York
that
during
Conrad Wiesner
the food
reports
supplies
he
had been
came upon an
Indian
State,
village where
exhausted and no game was
to be
by even the most skilled hunters.. It wass during the sap
season, fortunately for the natives, for they subsisted solely
on maple sap, which they drank as a beverage and did not
found
convert
it into
either sugar or sirup.
18
ENGLISH SPARROWS $4 A PAIR
100
Evidently
English
$4
have
years
the
regard
held. This bird
sparrow was once
pair, to
changed
was
in
which
the
imported then,
the span-worm, the larval stage of a
moth and commonly called the measuring worm, which was
devastating trees in city parks. Today, the descendants of
at
a
attack
those imports occupy a low rank on birdland's totem pole.
From the American Agriculturist of February 1869, the fol
lowing laudatory
nitely
worm
that
"Worm
and
they
time"
It illustrates how defi
reprinted.
ago, the trees in the
years
New York
is
differs from theory.
experience
A few
of
article
its
public grounds and streets
suburbs were so overrun
were more of a nuisance
was
dreaded by all,
and
than
many
by the
span-
an ornament,
were
the devices
for exterminating the span-worm. At last, some one
introduced the European sparrow, which made itself com
proposed
at
pletely
Whole
is
home,
by the
too
much
for the insects.
of
police.
The fame
and around
soon proved
birdhouses have been built for them, food
in winter, and their lives are especially watched
villages
provided
over
and
of
the
sparrows and
New York has
where, desirous
of
spread
the
good
they have done in
abroad, and individuals
introducing the birds into their
own
else
locali
concerning them. We have been at some
ties, have
written us
trouble to
get portraits of
the
the
male and
female
bird,
which are
They are so exceedingly
lively that the artist found great difficulty in managing them.
As they are taken in an upright position, they look less plump
from
life,
than
when seen upon a perch or engaged
The
in
male
color.
sides of
one-half of
is
a
The
the
smaller
upper part of
neck grayish
chestnut and
female is
little
natural size.
black,
almost
in picking up food.
than the female, and is more varied
his head is light brownish gray, the
white, throat black, back and wings
with a white
entirely
of a
band
brownish
19
across
gray.
the
wings.
The
The
very prolific, preferring broods to remain
and building their nests wherever a suitable
sparrows are
dwellings,
about
be found. The young are raised mainly upon grubs
and caterpillars, and it is estimated that a single pair consumes
4,000 caterpillars in a week. The mature birds consume grain
can
cavity
and other vegetable
food which, in the cities, they find in the
droppings of animals and elsewhere.
It is a matter of doubt whether the
general
introduction
of
In England, where
they are numerous, it is contended that they are the enemies,
rather than the friends, of the cultivator, though the birds
sparrows would
have their
be beneficial
advocates.
There is
cities, but in the country
large
quantities of
picking
vous
The
doubt
no
they
about
are charged
grain, scratching up
their utility in
with
seeds
consuming
in the garden,
buds of fruit trees in winter, and other mischie
We have briefly stated the case in favor of and
off
acts.
against
or otherwise.
the
sparrow.
present price with
said
to be imported. Those
are
unwilling to
the dealers is $4
who
part with
have them
them
at
any
per
upon
pair, for birds
their premises
price.
They
readily
home, in a small box for a house. In win
ter, the food should be freely scattered where they can have
make
access
themselves
at
to it.
Amateur Uncovers 5,000-year-old Relics
Hundreds
3,000
at
Original
Holcomb,
pits
were
the site,
U.S. Route 20A,
work at
mile south of
burial
dating back to the Laurentian
found recently in
B.C.,
Honeoye Lake.
years
deposit
of
of relics
an
that
amateur
an
culture
a rich archeological
85-acre tract
was carried out
about one-half
by Harry Schoff
Schoff turned up 20
of a people described as of
to the time of Christ.
archeologist.
produced skeletons
the Point Peninsula culture, dating
In addition, he found remnants of
fort believed to have
been established by Gen. John Sullivan during his famous ex
pedition through Western New York in 1779.
Further excavations are expected to uncover valuable data
which will enable archaeologists to piece together the story of
the
people who
inhabited the
area
20
a
5,000
years ago.
DRYING APPLES HOME INDUSTRY
You
aphorism
but
a
the
can't please all palates all
that
handy
time,
dried-apple pie,
and
with marked
those "who'd
there
distaste,
Let's dispose
of
were
mile"
walk a
those
moment
an
it is
early American culinary
expression apropos of an
were
have been
renown, but at this late
attained
incident. There
might
for
who viewed
a wedge of
this
product
even aversion.
those
who were anti-dried-apple-pie
One
and get on with our story.
rose
to
people,
dudgeon that he
such
his disdain in blank verse that has been preserved
to this day. It is included here so that the reader may decide
for himself how high feeling ran against so respectable a prod
recorded
uct of
the
family kitchen.
I
loathe,
abhor,
detest, despise,
Abominate dried-apple
I like
good
pies.
bread, I like
good
meat,
Or anything that's fit to eat;
But of all poor grub beneath the
The poorest is dried-apple pies.
Give
me
the toothache
or sore
dried-apple
But don't give me
The farmer takes his
skies
eyes,
pies.
fruit,
hard, to boot;
gnarliest
'Tis wormy, bitter, and
They leave the hulls to make us cough,
And don't take half the peeling off.
Then
on a
And in
dirty
cord
'tis strung,
hung;
a garret window
And there it serves, a roost for
Until it's made up into pies.
Tread
on
But don't
The
sent
protester
to market,
is
as
my
corns and
pass me
tell
dried-apple
granted a point or
it is
today
me
when
21
flies,
lies,
pies.
two. The best fruit
the best eating
was
apples are
shipped
to
Florida,
and
the best
oranges come north.
In those
the gnarly fruit was retained for home con
sumption. And it has to be admitted that some housekeepers
were so lax as to hang strings of sliced apples in the attic to
days
dry,
tive
as now
flies
whether protected against
stomach was
This
duction
failed to
poet
the
of
faced
filling
have had any
more opposed
One
with a sensi
problem.
gustatory
mention omission of apple cider
for the
quarrel
to the
with a
or not.
with
drying
pies
he detested. He
in
pro
seems not
to
the crust, so it must be he was
process than the pie as such. If his
in water, he had another
source of complaint, for then the apple flavor would have been
reduced and the fruit left leathery. No amount of nutmeg, cin
namon, sugar, salt or other condiments could have restored
piemaker
had
soaked
a semblance of orchard
was a
dirty
apples
freshness.
dried-apple pies, he might have in
his mistress of the pie board. There were
Before he dismissed
fairness changed
those who carried
the
all
aversion
to
to
alcohol
a point where
cider
word.
Some recall, however, the tailend
60 or 70 years ago, when pie fillings
of
the dried-apple
era of
the
were yet a product of
domestic piemakers. Then there was no better way to preserve
apples for pies than by drying, and no better way to revive the
tag of apple flavor than by using cider to make the filling. For
those
these pies, they continued each season
fresh crop of Early Harvest apples became available
enjoyed
who
until a
at midsummer.
After the
aroma of
excited one's
dried-apple
so
pies spread
taste buds to action,
pie!
Nothing
these delectables
conclusion
baking
to liberal
what was
served as a
were served on
from the kitchen
and
there to displace
satisfactory substitute,
farm
tables as a
festivals and
and urban
Sunday dinners, Thanksgivig
Christmas homecomings. Persons nutured on these pies, made
as they should have been, knew no imposed season limit for
their favorite pastry. Only when the dried-apple supply was
exhausted
did they
suspend
their demands.
Although controversy between pros and cons eventually ter
minated, the end did not come by compromise! When there
were no more dried apples for makins', there was no base for
argument.
Mass
production of preserved apples ended
22
for
all
time the domestic
drying
process of
apples
in the kitchen
as a
winter's
evening pastime.
As the Civil War shaped up, it became apparent that domes
tic industry alone or in combination with small-plant produc
tion
be
would not
tomatoes,
the first
even
superseded
older
for the
adequate
powdered
products.
coffee
During the
home processing of foods went the way
flannel underwear and switchel.
Apples
the
being
wilderness
a
to
scions
Soil
and climate
was
large
fruit,
of
fringe mittens,
pioneers carried
both
orchards were
favoring
apple
century.
succeeding
their
start orchards and miniature
from home
and
most
sturdy
Processed apples,
and peanut butter
military.
seeds
red-
into
tree nurseries,
grafted on wild stock
culture,
yield of
the fruit
the first generation, when drying fruit
feasible method for realizing income from local
after
was
the
produc
tion.
When the
into full
apple orchards established
by the
pioneers came
for marketing the fruit were
by shipping it fresh to city markets, converting it into cider
from which vinegar was made, or drying. Later developemnt
bearing,
chief methods
broadened the fresh-fruit
shipments of New York State
of refrigerated cars and warehouses
markets so as
apples
to
cities and
ent century.
domestic
to include
vast
to Europe
soon after
Giant processing
the turn
operations
of
the
pres
have doomed
since
processing.
Drying apples evolved as a domestic industry engaged in
during winters when fruit and time were available for process
ing them. In fact, the work was largely a family activity that
was pursued on a small scale
the
production.
dry
apples, it
of
Before
was a
both
Basis
drying
of
stored
the
family
numbers employed and
enterprise carried on
long
to
in the kitchen
evenings of
early winter
fruit began to decay.
the kitchen stove, over which a
from the ceiling. In size, this dryer
operation was
rack was suspended
slightly
to
commercial plants were established
the farm home throughout
before the
as
exceeded
the
stove's
area.
Constructed
of
one-inch
framing, a fine wire screen was attached to the bot
tom of the frame, and hook-eyes screwed into the ceiling sup
ported the drier by wires attached to its four corners.
hardwood
With
candles or at
best
after
23
mid-century kerosene lamps
the family gathered around
the kitchen table cleared of supper dishes. Upon it were placed
pans of sound apples brought up from the cellar or from out
furnishing limited illumination,
Commonly called "the
cellar dug into the earth
hole,"
side storage.
age was a
this auxiliary stor
beyond the foundation of
the house.
A sharp knife in every participant's hand, apples were pared
gracefully, cut into quarters and cored. Then with deft strokes
the quarters were quickly reducd to thin slices that were im
mediately spread out in not too thick layers over the bottom of
the
drying
ceased
rack.
for the
Yankee
When the netting
was
covered,
operations
evening.
entrepreneurs were
quick
to
seize
upon
an
oppor
tunity offered by the widespread, growing apple-peeling activ
ity, and invented several varieties of little hand-operated ma
chines to speed the work. Screwed to a table top, the devices
held the
ed
apple on a
knife,
the
and
apple was
that
thus
fovk,
removed
being
pared,
when cut crosswise
Each
day the
revolved
a
the
left the
fresh
reduced
it to
by hand
a ribbon
until a portion was
to
one end of
When sufficiently dried, this
placed in paper bags that were tied
slices added.
and
from time to time bartered
at
As
ready for the dryer.
were pushed
was removed and
to city
slices
slices were stirred
tion
ment
of a spring-mount
skin with speed and ease.
fixed blade
nearly sufficiently dry. These
rack and
it in front
grocery
counters
the
por
shut
for ship
markets.
Of course, not all went to the cities : a supply was
for making pies from dried apples soaked in cider !
24
retained
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Collecting
unusual names might
be termed the
overflow of a
for collecting historical data or, perhaps, it's the fruit
historian's lighter moments. However, after one begins
mania
of a
assembling his
data,
windows as agilely as
names
leap
from books
out
from
store
and
office
and manuscripts.
Examples of two that "leaped
observed in the Town of Spencer;
out"
and
E. J. Licks, Eggs,
Frank Kiss, justice of
are:
the peace, Cleveland, Ohio.
Most of the names on my list have been taken from town
county histories
New York and Pennsylvania, and from
various genealogies. The last is the most fruitful source of
odd combinations. One finds, for instance, in the Genealogy of
Western New York that "the Old family in America traces its
Then there is the Fish and Bent lines.
ancestry back
Others from this book worthy of recordng are the followng.
and
.
of
.
Fish, Ruth Cook Fish, Salmon King, Salmon Hunt
Fish, Carrie Birdie Smith, Helen Birdsey Peck, Eliza Pickerell
and Hannah Pike, sisters ; Preserved Bullock, Rev. I. B. Sharp
(otherwise grammatical, one supposes), William, called Billy,
Nanny, Orange Green, Orange Stone, Royal Wheeler, Wheat
Flower, Thanks Moore, Thomas Figures Moore, Mary Blizzard,
Preserved
Bartholomew Fish Moore.
The Rogers
Genealogy
gives
the
names
of
four
wives of
Darrow, Clarissa Crossbone, Abby
Beebe and Betsey Gallup. Other Roger names include Lucy
Little Vinal, Mary Keene Carver, Mary Mustard, Lucy Pine
Josiah Rogers
as
Annie
Coffin, Little Flora Bass.
"Five Colonial
replete with
Families,"
striking
names.
in Ithaca in 1900,
them:
published
Some
of
are
Doonspike, Willie Moosehunt, Mace Lard, Desire Handy,
Sedate Foote, Humphrey Trump, Thomas Starboard Dame,
Experience Bliss, Hanna Cook Baker, Mary Downs Cook,
Wayte-a-While Makepeace Cooper, Sarah Belcher Irons, MeIva
25
hitible Crow Partridge, Nathaniel Mott Shooter, Miriam Turn
er Pickels, Jonathan Whitaker
Toothtaker, Etta Kidd, Hannah
Snow Cole, Joshua Hewes Crabtree, Nan Eates Dabbs, Anna
Knight Dark, Margaret Spillway Moore, Sarah Parker Bull,
and Love Lee.
These were culled from New York in the Revolution: Arent
Brat, Nicks Kidney, John Chops, Brestor Pork, John Beets,
Wait Still Cook, Andrew Curricomb, John Slopps, Benjamin
Waggs, Daniel Dear.
The History of Potter County, Pa., yielded Wanton King,
Mrs. Comfort Felt, Luke and Sally A. Smoke, Christian Pick
ing, Consider Love, and Abel Bishop.
Mrs. Etta Pye was a resident of Genesee, Pa., and Mrs. Ona
Bridge lived in Galeton in the same state. Candy Horse was a
little girl in Shongo, N. Y., and Beverley Large Bell was a one
time student at Alfred University. Peary Sweet Lemon and
Bertha Cook Rahr
name on a mailbox
One
of
the first
His daughter
Ivory
settlers
married
Orange de Gras
was
in
a
Allegany County
Frenchman
and
was
a
Paris Green.
their
sons
were
Lemon de Quince. Another early settler
Snow from New Hampshire. John and Susan Smith
and
named
their first
wound
up
Clarinda,
former neighbors, and I. Boyle is
between Wellsville and Scio.
were
with
and
Myron, William and Nancy, but
Largius (a girl), Claudius, Sardius, Servius,
children
Varius Quintilius!
26
JUNGLE, GRAIN-0, SOMO, ETC.
Fifty
the coffee-drinking habit was under attack,
being beverages based on grains. Of three
years ago
the
weapons used
we
knew, Postum
but
endured; Jungle
and
Grain-0 have disap
by many.
Jungle was manufactured by the Woodfields of Stannards
Corners in the Town of Wellsville. I recall its being served in
place of coffee at a benefit dinner during 1914.
This coffee substitute was made of wheat bran, whole wheat,
and whole corn, which were finely ground, then mixed with
peared
are remembered
molasses and
packages on
family
slowly
the front
The project failed
in producing corn
Grain-0 had
Other
up in
a red-and-blaek
table,
with
the Woodfield
Mrs. Woodfield
financially, but the grinder is
meal for family use.
still
in
use
promising launching. Manufactured
a more
Orator F.
pouring.
Woodward,
remembered
Co.,
it
was one of several
prime mover
Woodward
at
in the food
con
products were some com
proprietary articles, Kemp's Balsam, Lane's Tea,
Pisco cough drops. Jell-O, another product of the company,
monly
and
was put
the Genesee Pure Food
products of
cern.
It
of which was a picture of
around a
sitting
LeRoy by
cooked.
used
has
survived.
25c
at a
time
Grain-0
when
cents a pound and
There
well
a
the better
grades at
superior coffee
35 to 40.
substitute
known to farm boys. Roasted
mered
that
was
for 15c a pound or two pounds for
low-grade coffee was available at 12 to 15
sold
corn or
in hot sap dipped from the sap
was
relished
was available
only
by
a
sugarbush
few
weeks
not marketed
toasted bread
pan made a
workers.
in the
bush,
but
sim
beverage
Unfortunately, it
and nowhere else
and at no other season.
At the time these
beverages were being promoted,
packaged coffee was being introduced. Surely, some of the old
er generation will remember Lion and Arbuckle Bros, brands
patented
27
which were retailed at
12c
a
pound,
chicory and little coffee.
Even if these brands failed to
coffee of
the beans
be
could not
much
tastes, the
less attractive. Quality of
to
appeal
was
preceding generations
that indicated
a price
that
compared with
current
today's product,
of
but nothing was added to nature's work by the methods
handling the bean and preparation of the beverage.
Beans
ing
in
were unroasted and came
to protecting them from
to be brewed, the beans were
given
was
bulk,
with no
moisture.
in
placed
thought be
When
a
of
beverage
a
frying
pan and
the top of the kitchen stove or in the oven before
ground in a hand-turned coffee mill. After the granules
roasted on
being
were placed
in
tinued
the brew
until
a pot and water
was a
added, the
murky
boiling began. It
To
mess.
settle
con
the grounds,
broken into the pot and permitted to remain until
the dregs had settled to the bottom. The brew was then poured
an
egg
off
gently
One
was
needed
ed with a
to be
drank it for
of
ville, New
York,
which
ula,
water and
These
then
about
was
made
these
as
coarsely
Prepared
the
products off
Granula doesn't
to
wildnerness
by
sturdy
people
old age.
and
Woodwards
Dans-
his health institute in
slices until
ground and
to
cereals
brittle.
baked
a second
stand overnight.
a cereal
that
dish
time,
In the
and mixed with
appeared
later forced
market.
too appetizing today; perhaps then
tickler in its day, for Dr. Jackson evolved
start orchards and miniature
products evidently were planned
indicated
concotion
sound
wasn't a palate
two
to
at
transferred to
was
sugar and milk.
the
Nevertheless,
mixed with milk and permitted
morning it
unacquaint
1863. One of his health foods was Granof Graham and wheat flour mixed in
then baked in thin
slices were
entirely
the Woodfields
of
Dr. James Caleb Jackson
was
or
beverage to imbibe this
enthusiasm.
efforts
sediment.
coffee,
years and survived
Antedating the
it
thirsting for
prepared
properly
any degree
with
to disturb the
so as not
the
slogan used
to
to
tree nurseries,
augment each
promote use :
other,
"Eat Granula
Somo."
Drink
At this
link connecting health foods of these earlier
decades with those of today begins to develop. Dr. Horatio S.
Lay of Allegan, Michigan, brought his wife to the Dansville
point a
28
her recovery that he
joined Dr. Jackson and began sending Baptist patients for
treatment. The next year he went to Battle Creek and opened
the Western Health Reform Institute.
resort
in 1864,
Ultimately,
today's
ants of
John
and was so pleased with
Granula
and
Somo
were superseded
by
those
of
"Foodtown."
These products, however, are not descend
their predecessors, but are the brain children of Dr.
Kellogg
and
Sister Ellen G.
White,
wife of
Battle Creek
Adventist Elder James White who, let it be noted, had
gone treatment at Dansville.
29
under
A
'VARMINT'
CENSUS
began moving determinedly into
Central New York, the Indian menace was history. No longer
did the frontier suffer from the tomahawk and firebrand in the
When
hands
1790
after
of enraged
challenge
There
settlers
to newcomers
were
myriads of small predators
to this
them
of a natural
wilderness and even
and
harbored.
and
rattlesnakes;
by
check
the
the larger
induced
soon
seasons, and
no
the protecting forest
habitat
a
them.
knew
population of
was removal of
even
remained
still
heretofore kept in
newcomers
inroads in the
made
bears,
which preyed upon
the
Hunting by
that it
with contenders
wolves, panthers,
larger denizens
the Dark Forest
Redmen, but
anmials.
Added
deprived
which
migration
it
to the
western
into today's Canada. Although land
clear
that depended mostly on the ax and
brawn of its wielder, an average of two acres a year were
brought under cultivation. At this rate the largest forest dwell
ing
was arduous work
ers were soon
their
old
some
fleeing but
most succumbed
in
haunts.
may feel that the new farms were free of natural
until the coming of the potato bug and the devil's paint
Today
enemies
dispossed,
we
brush, invaders from the West transported by facilities afford
ed by transcontinental railroads later in the century. But there
were pests galore as we
forms
a part of
this
learn from the
"varmint"
census which
account.
If the early-day farmers had any dreams of trouble-free days
after conquering the forests and the predators it harbored, he
became
soon
sieged
aware of a whole world of
him. With their
slaughtered or
tend
"varmints"
enemies, the larger animals
driven off, the tiller of the soil was left to con
mortal
with a population explosion of so-called vermin.
these
pests were or
long hidden in
came
that be
the
how
numerous were
remnants
to light. To its
of
uniqueness
30
Just
their legions
are
what
facts
book that recently
is to be added its record of
a
record
destroyed,
vermin
men who reduced
tally
their
Its historical
munity.
in
value
the pioneers
the
pests and of
Allegany County com
doesn't stop in one locality for the
numbers
one
serves as a reminder of a serious
confronted
the
a veritable census of
forgotten
to
without regard
problem
that
geography.
Spelling of some names of the little beasties recorded are in
teresting by themselves. The wily little chipmunk seems to
have been
plentiful under an older
other not
mentioned
in the
the spelling, the
whatever
name,
Allegany
chipmuck.
He had
an
census, chipmonk; but
from the Algonquian
name came
chitmunk.
When
one
has
find these little
creatures still
locations. And this in
used
spite of
neighbors
today's far
surprised
in field
more
and
lethal
to
forest
methods
for their destruction.
All this
the
by
through the list he will be
gone
contents of a
held together
an old
the
speculation and
by
census
little handmade
common
pins, that
trunk in the hamlet
of
that follow
booklet,
was
are provided
fly-specked
and
found fortutiously. In
Hallsport, Allegany County, it
had lain forgotten for many years. Dates are missing, but the
era it recorded is closely determined through a familiarity with
the
and
names
approximate
of
ages
the
listed
men
as
the
exterminators.
Some
ly
of us are old enough
tales
about
the first
of
the land
vermin."
of
vermin as
It
we
hearing
quite
direct
through their grandchildren,
Along with the accounts of clear
heard them
seems
remember
settlers
most of whom are now gone.
ing
to
to
me
snakes, wolves,
use
that
foxes,
the
expression
most of us
"getting
rid
have thought
wildcats and perhaps a
of
few
rats, but the list includes many others.
This little booklet
same names
same era.
paid, its
We
can
that
contains
appeared
Since there is
record was
no reference
probably kept
evening in
boasting of their catch
handy to prove claims.
without
exception
in the Cate blacksmith
easily imagine the
stove of an
almost
men
winter or
record of
to bounties
by the
local
the
the
claimed or
storekeeper.
involved sitting around the
on the veranda in summer,
of mice and yellow
birds. The
tally
was
After studying the entries with Laura Hall, we could see no
other purpose than an attempt to preserve a record of wildlife
31
in any form. There is
is listed such beasties as mice,
extermination
which
for
a page
each man on
birds,
yellow
woodpeck
ers, chipmunks, various squirrels, hawks and rats. The number
of vermin killed by each total ranged from five to 233. Listed
"game
also are entries of
those
The
ing,
but
seen
the
which
which made good
cover of
so
counted,"
the booklet
enumeration
Although there is
and
begins
their
is taken to
escape.
its first three
on page
no explanation of
cover
pages are miss
4. It follows :
the figures in the
second
column, a clue may be found in the first two entries. Here
adin Gena enters the listing with four mice and is credited
figure four in
credited with a
is
in the
established
that the
conclude
4
4
4 mice
Johnson Briggs
2
1,
woodpecker
red'
2
squir-
35,
62
2,
2,
red squwels
2,
21
23
2,
chipmucks
woodpecker
squirrel
1,
red
1.
25
3,
woodchucks
2,
1,
game
George Mrngus
chipmucks 4,
43
10,
mice
woodpeckers
2,
count
9.
red
76,
14
squirrels
squirrels
2.
e r s
129
150
57
97
179
203
5
5
8,
2, black
Wm. Babcock
52, mice 48,
w'dpeckers 3, blk. squir
fel
t
yellow
birdis 3(
woodchucks
5, game
^^
yelo.
1?
40,
red
Wack
:
g
squir-
^^
^
crow
^^
1
Beriah C.Trask
13
birds
rat
yelo.
mkje
chuck
chipmucks
52,
red
squir-
16, black 3, mice
birds 5, wood43,
peckers
7, bluejay 1,
wheatbird 1, hedgehog 1,
woodchucks
6, game
rels
1.
yellow
212
233
bird
5, black
mice
24, red
2,
3, gray squir-
woodpeckers
squirrels
k
hawks
Truman Perkins
chipmucks)
34
mice
squir-
13
1,
24,
woodpe c
^ 9
12
G. W. Cate
7,
36
red
2.
chipmucks
.
woodpecker
14
chip-
3, black squirrels 2,
woodpecker 1, mice 2,
chipmucks
squirrels
12
bird 1.
yel.
John B. Wood
rels
5,
a
chipmucks
squir-
JohnLivermor
4,
9,
chipmucks
3.
.
bird 1, blk.
muck
Samuel Cove!
Lorenzo Parker
black
woodpeckers
Israel Thomas
14,
73
17,
chipmucks
birds
squirrels
mice
total in
94.
wood peckers
mice
to
woodchuck
game counted
chipmucks
rel !
Q. L. Sniythe
rels
1, hawk 1,
rel
1,
yellow
record
seems safe
second column records a previous
Caradin Gena
yeto.
Therefore, it
with
count.
running
3,
John
each column.
same manner.
Briggs'
Car-
counted 51.
Abel H. Trask
32
mice 5.
rats
Wellington Kelsey
26,
chipmucks
John>
mice
28
28
1
l
25
30
2.
3, chipmuck
15, blk. squirrel
woodchuck 1, game
19
1,
red
mice
4,
black
squirrel
19,
9, mink 1,
chipmucks
red squir
rels
mice
24
1,
1,
25
squirrels
131
133
2,
8
8
33
33
rels
Preachers Rode Hard
settled
2,
mice
3,
93.
174
159
61, mice 55,
8, blk squir
woodpeckers
3.
Squier L. Hall
Whenever the
red
31, black
Jahiel Norton
game counters
red squirrel
woodchuck
game counters
wood
chipmucks
hardly
31
3,
red
13.
mice
chipmucks
3,
chipmucks
Josiah Trask
5,
24
tails
Philo Richardson
1,
ecker
3,
chipmucks
11
17.
mice
33
2.
squirrels
25.
squir
Newton Dexter
1,
54
squirrels
Jones Briggs
black squirrels 4,
7
2, woodp
pecker
23
15, yel
1, game
counters 2.
Martin A. Rice
rels
106
mice
coon
woodchuck
98
woodpeck
6,
7, blue jays
red
2, black
Lefferts Crittenden
1,
game
John Q. A. Woodcock
counters 4.
low bird 1,
2,
woodchucks
woodpeckers
mice
79,
chipmucks
ers
Henry H. Hall
chipmuck
5,
mice
25.
Alimon D. Babcock
Cline
woodpecker 1.
1,
1,
3,
counters:
3,
3,
woodchucks
game counters 29.
Pioneers'
on
Heels
his face toward the west, he had
before some equally hardy preach
pioneer set
into his
cabin
Bible in his saddle-bag arrived to bring his particu
lar brand of the gospel to the frontier. Sometimes there was
bitter competition. Methodists and Baptists were often fierce
er with a
in their denunciation
church paper of
Church
enemies
He
never
what
in the days
goes on
find
Christless
the
of a
to
print
the
frogs, lice
and
as
flies
in
a
being "to the
were
to God's
of
them, in a kind of invective that could
today, "loose-footed, ill-fated, bad-featured,
call
creatures."
church
later
while a writer
Moses."
"Brotherly tolerance has
of
views,
1848 described the Unitarians
today
of
of each other's
come a
in the last hundred
religious column.
33
long
way, both in
and out
years,"
comments a writer